New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-03
ELECTRICITY APPLIED TO A STREET CAR

CLAIMING THAT 1T IS BETTER AND CHEAPER INA"
HoRsE-PowER-How IT WORKS.
For several days experiments have been made OF
the Fourth Avenue Street Railroad with d car pro-
PEELED by electric motor The car RESEMBLES III up
pearance an ordinary street with tue horses
removed has large unncumbered platform at each
end and can DO in either direction without peihe
turned around The energy to run the car Is optheu
from julien storage batteries which are inserted from
the outside through panels OF the car ana are paceu
under the seats. When in position they are not Wis
ible from any part of the Upon being pushed in
to place those batteries make automatic connection
with the wires which lead from them to the motors
The two motors. of seven mechanical horse power
each, are placed on each axle OF the car. Ihey are
small and occupy little space.
Under the julien system, only one motor IL ordi-
narily placed car but owing to the heavy grades
In Madison ave, of which are per cent IL was
deemed advisable to place two motors on the car on
which experiments we're made. These motors arc so
arranged that they can be usel separately or TO-
gether. On level or ordinary grades one motor Is
said to be sufficient with the heaviest load. Inc
motor is controlled in Its operation by q regulator
which runs from the motor TO either end OF the car
and whth IS worked bya crank which the arSer
holds in his lett hand. This crank is inserted into
small box in the shape OF dial with figures anu let
ter. on It, which indicate to the driver the rate OF
speed how to start tho and the like The drivef
has only crank to run the car with
Beside the box IL switch which enables tne
driver 10 draw at will upon the energy stored ID the
batteries. The batteries are 50 arranged that 'he
regulator can be used to draw from them IN an
Instant if necessary as much energy as they would
ordinarily expend In several minutes This is done
nhere sharp curve to be rounded or start L. 10
be made on a heavy grade or in winter when the
track is slippery fnis Il effected BY the driver turn
ing the switch at the side of his regulator which
throws his batteries into SERIES thus giving hlm tne
highest electro motive force attainabls. isls gives
the mass to be moved impact similar to that gwen
by canon ball. When on the other hand strong
current is required in order to secure high rate OF
speed the driver by turning bis switch in an opposite
direction from that above described throws his bat
teries IL parallel In this way the two currents from
each side OF the make. rs 1t were, one stream OF
electrical energy OF double the volume which pre-
vailed when the batteries were In series.
All this is so simple that the most unsklied hand
can safely be entrusted to the car alter ceivng
proper instructions Ii Is said that car can be run
by this moor at a cost Of 81 10 day. while the cost
Of running BY horse-powcris ~ 90 Tho car
experimented with ran along with an easy STEADY
motion and at times attained speed Of twelve miles
an hour Ii was stopped ana started with les. oil the
jar and jerk thaa the ordinary street car; IL was
stopped OF the sharpest curves and heaviest
grades on tho road and started again with case